Chromium

Chromium

Chromium chloride, Chromium picolinate

Efficacy

• Indications with possible efficacy:
  Correction of a deficiency
• Indications with possible, but poorly documented efficacy :
  Glycemic control in adult diabetics
  
• Other indications with no proof of efficacy:
  Enhancement of athletic performances
  Reactive hypoglycemia
  Serum cholesterol and triglycerides reduction
  Serum good cholesterol increase in men taking beta-blockers
  Steroid-induced diabetes
  Weight loss

Security

• Risk of Drug Interactions: Low
• Adverse Effects: Not Frequent

Description

Chromium is a trace element essential to the body's proper function. It is found in abundance in the Earth's crust, as chromium ore, in concentrations of 100 to 300 ppm (parts per million). Organic chromium, which is easier to assimilate, can also be found in a variety of foods such as brewer's yeast, liver, potatoes (with peel), beef, fresh vegetables and cheese. The adequate intake (AI) level is different based on gender and age:

	Age	Adequate Intake
Children	0 to 6 months	0.2 mcg
	7 to 12 months	5.5 mcg
	1 to 3 years	11 mcg
	4 to 8 years	15 mcg
Men	9 to 13 years	25 mcg
	14 to 50 years	35 mcg
	51 years and more	30 mcg
Women	9 to 13 years	21 mcg
	14 to 18 years	24 mcg
	19 to 50 years	25 mcg
	51 years and more	20 mcg
Pregnancy		+ 5 mcg
Lactation		+ 20 mcg

Direction of use

• Chromium deficiency
  In the general population, chromium deficiency is rare but may be involved in the development of diabetes in adults and of atherosclerosis. People whose diet is mainly based on extensively refined foods (rich in sugar and starch) appear more at risk of developing chromium deficiency.

  Used doses:
  50 to 200 mcg daily. Avoid large doses of chromium.

• Glycemic control in adult diabetics
  Chromium appears to play an important role in the regulation of normal glucose (sugar) use by the body. It may facilitate insulin activity, thus improving glucose tolerance.

  Used doses: 200 to 1000 mcg daily

• Increasing serum good cholesterol level in men taking beta-blockers:
  Used doses: 200 mcg three times daily
• Reactive hypoglycemia:
  Used doses: 200 mcg daily of chromium chloride.
• Reducing serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels
  Used doses: 200 to 1000 mcg daily
• Steroid-induced diabetes:
  Used doses: 400 to 600 mcg daily

There is insufficient reliable information to conclude that chromium is effective in any other indication.

Precautions

• Side effects
  The administration of "safe" doses of chromium is not associated with any severe toxicity. Chromium has been associated with weight gain, headaches, sleep disturbances and irritability. High doses (600 to 2400 mcg daily) may lead to behavioral problems, anemia, hepatic dysfunction and renal impairment. The long-term safety profile of prolonged chromium use is not established.
• Contraindications
  Close monitoring of blood glucose levels is recommended in diabetics. Use with caution if liver or renal dysfunction.
• Interactions
  Chromium might lower blood glucose levels and could theoretically have additive effects with antidiabetic agents, therefore increasing the risk of hypoglycemia. Vitamin C increases chromium absorption while zinc decreases it. Before taking chromium supplement, check with your pharmacist to make sure that there are no interactions with your regular medications.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding
  Chromium appears to be safe during pregnancy and lactation when doses thought to be safe for healthy adults are used.

Warning

In 2004, Canada adopted new regulations that control the manufacturing, packaging, labeling and importing of natural health products. The new regulations also include an adverse reaction reporting system. Products that conform to the regulation's criteria are identified with a natural product number (NPN) and can be legally sold in Canada. This number indicates that the product meets specific criteria for safety and purity, not that it is effective for any indication.

Medicinal plant contents vary naturally from plant to plant - just as fruits from the same package may vary in taste and texture. There is no standard to measure the active content of each plant. Thus, efficacy of natural products should be expected to vary from brand to brand as well as from bottle to bottle of the same brand.

For more information about the Natural Health Products Regulations, or to check if a product has been assessed, visit the Health Canada website at www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/prodnatur/index-eng.php.

References

1. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, Therapeutic Research Faculty, 2010
2. Peirce, Andrea. Practical Guide to Natural Medicines, APha, 1999
3. Facts & Comparisons, The Lawrence review of natural products, 1998
4. Taylor J. CE: Phytomedicinals: Uses, precautions, and drug interactions. Drug Topics 2003;1:79
5. Passeportsanté.net. Chrome. www.passeportsante.net
6. Natural Therapeutics Pocket Guide, 2000-2001
7. The Review of Natural Products, 6th Edition, 2010
8. Health Canada, Natural Products Database